Course content

Theory: Anatomy, physiology, histology and cytology of the cervix, serous cavities, urinary and respiratory tract. Screening program against cervical cancer, screening history and risk assessment, HPV and cervical cancer, HPV test methods, HPV vaccine and quality assurance. Additional techniques, such as immunocytochemistry, PCR etc. Practice: Assessment of cytological preparations from cervix, serous cavities, urinary and respiratory tract in microscope and digital.

Learning outcome

Formalize the training in cytological assessment of cervical specimens after the workplace has trained the candidate to screen independently. Be able to recognize cells in cervical cytology that represent and suggest diagnosis by using cytological criteria for ASC-US, LSIL, ASC-H, HSIL, squamous cell carcinoma, AGUS, ACIS and adenocarcinoma. Enable the biomedical laboratory scientist to primary screen cytological specimens from the respiratory tract, urinary tract and serous cavities and recognize cells that represent malignant neoplasia and suggest diagnosis by using cytological criteria.

Learning methods and activities

The program is organized as part-time study over one year. It takes place partly in the workplace, as self-study and in internal teaching, according to a detailed plan by leading biomedical laboratory scientist in cytology. There are two compulsory weekly sessions at the Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Natural Science at NTNU, where problem-based learning is largely used in addition to lectures.

Compulsory assignments

• Course gynecological cytology
• course non-gynecological cytology

Further on evaluation

Mandatory work requirements: One week course in gynecological cytology and one week in non-gynecological cytology. A total of nine group works and seven cases with presentations. Compulsory attendance. Two hours written individual assessment and two hours practical individual assessment. Counts 50% each. Character Scale: A-F.

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

Bachelor of Biomedical Laboratory Science or equivalent education and employed at a cytology laboratory, with at least one year's experience in independent screening work.

The employer must send a confirmation to the head teacher before attending the first session in gynecological cytology that the student has undergone a structured training program in the cytology laboratory including screening of 1000 cervical cytological samples from the cervix, and before the second session in non-gynecological cytology has received training and experience in primary screening and assessment of cytological samples from the respiratory tract, serous cavities and urinary tract.

Required previous knowledge

The course is restricted

Course materials

Lectures, workshops(slide seminar) and group assignments

Credit reductions